Monday 6 August 2007

Heirloom Cocoa Jug





My Mother calls this piece of china her 'Cocoa Jug', but after some digging, I discovered that it is actually known as a Nippon 'Chocolate Pot'. Most of the examples are valued at approximately $400 and upwards to $1200+ if it comes with the tiny cups and saucers.
My next surprise was that Nippon is not actually a company. Nippon generally refers to Japanese wares made during the period from 1891 to 1921, although the Nippon mark was also used to a limited extent on later wares accompanied by "Japan". Nippon, meaning Japan, identified the country of origin to comply with American importation restrictions. After 1921 "Japan" was the acceptable alternative. The term does not imply a specific type of product and may be found on items other than porcelain.
Regardless of it's history or current value, I treasure the stories my Mom tells me about drinking sweet hot chocolate (the real kind) by a crackling fire when she was 2 or 3 years old. I have an old photograph of her sipping the warm treat. I just adore how the gold (real) has worn away off the ornate handle from all those loving hands pouring cocoa.

2 comments:

cotedetexas said...

sosooso beautiful! I love things of beauty! wow!

Joni

Unknown said...

Love this information on Nippon.I remember my grandmother having some of this style of dishes in a tea service. I would love to have it now. And how much more civilized life was then making hot choco from scratch and drinking out of these wonderful pieces...most kids today will only ever know hot choco out of a Starbucks paper cup.